Electrical connector with vibration dampener

Abstract

An electrical connector assembly includes an electrical terminal attached to a wire cable, a connector housing defining a cavity in which the electrical terminal is disposed, and a resilient damping element disposed intermediate the electrical terminal and an inner wall of the cavity. The damping element is configured to reduce the amplitude and/or change the frequency of vibratory mechanical energy transmitted to the electrical terminal in the electrical connector through the wire electrical cable attached to the terminal.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. An electrical connector assembly, comprising:
 an electrical terminal attached to a wire cable; 
 a connector housing defining a cavity in which the electrical terminal is disposed; and 
 a resilient damping element disposed intermediate the electrical terminal and an inner wall of the cavity, wherein the resilient damping element is formed of an elastomeric material having a Shore-A hardness value between 40 to 60 and wherein an outer surface of the damping element is in a compressive fit with the inner wall of the cavity and an inner surface of the damping element is in a compressive fit with a portion of the electrical terminal. 
 
     
     
       2. The electrical connector assembly in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the elastomeric material comprises a silicone rubber material. 
     
     
       3. The electrical connector assembly in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the damping element surrounds a portion of the electrical terminal. 
     
     
       4. The electrical connector assembly in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the damping element is characterized as having a cylindrical shape with a bore extending longitudinally therethrough and wherein a portion of the electrical terminal is disposed within the bore. 
     
     
       5. The electrical connector assembly in accordance with  claim 4 , wherein the damping element defines a circumferential rib and wherein the circumferential rib defines the outer surface of the damping element. 
     
     
       6. The electrical connector assembly in accordance with  claim 4 , wherein a diameter of the outer surface is compressed by 0.3 to 0.8 millimeters by the inner wall of the cavity. 
     
     
       7. The electrical connector assembly in accordance with  claim 4 , wherein a diameter of the bore is expanded by 0.3 to 1.2 millimeters by the portion of the electrical terminal. 
     
     
       8. The electrical connector assembly in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the damping element is not in direct contact with the wire cable. 
     
     
       9. A method of assembling an electrical connector, comprising:
 inserting an electrical terminal attached to a wire cable within a resilient damping element formed of an elastomeric material having a Shore-A hardness value between 40 to 60; and 
 inserting the electrical terminal and the damping element within a cavity of a connector housing such that an outer surface of the damping element is in a compressive fit with an inner wall of the cavity and an inner surface of the damping element is in a compressive fit with a portion of the electrical terminal. 
 
     
     
       10. The method in accordance with  claim 9 , wherein the elastomeric material comprises a silicone rubber material. 
     
     
       11. The method in accordance with  claim 9 , further comprising:
 establishing a compressive fit between an outer surface of the damping element and an inner wall of the cavity; and 
 establishing a compressive fit between an inner surface of the damping element and a portion of the electrical terminal. 
 
     
     
       12. The method in accordance with  claim 11 , wherein the damping element has a cylindrical shape with a bore extending longitudinally therethrough and wherein a portion of the electrical terminal is disposed within the bore. 
     
     
       13. The method in accordance with  claim 12 , wherein the damping element defines a circumferential rib and wherein the circumferential rib defines an outer surface of the damping element. 
     
     
       14. The method in accordance with  claim 13 , wherein a diameter of the outer surface is compressed by 0.3 to 0.8 millimeters by the inner wall of the cavity and a diameter of the bore is expanded by 0.3 to 1.2 millimeters by the portion of the electrical terminal. 
     
     
       15. The method in accordance with  claim 9 , wherein the damping element is not in direct contact with the wire cable. 
     
     
       16. An electrical connector, comprising:
 an electrical terminal attached to a wire cable; 
 a connector housing defining a cavity in which the electrical terminal is disposed; and 
 means for damping vibration transmitted from the wire cable to the electrical terminal, wherein the means is formed of an elastomeric material having a Shore-A hardness value between 40 to 60 and wherein an outer surface of the means is in a compressive fit with an inner wall of the cavity and an inner surface of the means is in a compressive fit with a portion of the electrical terminal.